Ottoman Sultans

The Ottoman Empire was ruled by 36 sultans in order, from Osman I, who founded the dynasty around 1299, to Mehmed VI, deposed in 1922 — one unbroken male line spanning more than six centuries. The first sultan, Osman I, began as the ruler of a small principality near today’s Bursa.. Ottoman state grew into a regional power in the 1400s. Ottomans became an Empire and world power in the 1500s. Sultans moved their capital city several times during history. Ottoman capital cities were Söğüt (1299–1326), Bursa (1326–1365), Edirne (1365–1453), and finally Istanbul — the city once called Constantinople (1453–1922).

All 36 Ottoman Sultans in Order (with Reign Dates)

1. Osman I — c. 1299–1324
2. Orhan — 1324–1360
3. Murad I — 1360–1389
4. Bayezid I — 1389–1402
5. Mehmed I — 1413–1421
6. Murad II — 1421–1444 and 1446–1451 (ruled twice)
7. Mehmed II, the Conqueror — 1444–1446 and 1451–1481 (ruled twice)
8. Bayezid II — 1481–1512
9. Selim I — 1512–1520
10. Süleyman I, the Magnificent — 1520–1566
11. Selim II — 1566–1574
12. Murad III — 1574–1595
13. Mehmed III — 1595–1603
14. Ahmed I — 1603–1617
15. Mustafa I — 1617–1618 and 1622–1623 (ruled twice)
16. Osman II — 1618–1622
17. Murad IV — 1623–1640
18. İbrahim — 1640–1648
19. Mehmed IV — 1648–1687
20. Süleyman II — 1687–1691
21. Ahmed II — 1691–1695
22. Mustafa II — 1695–1703
23. Ahmed III — 1703–1730
24. Mahmud I — 1730–1754
25. Osman III — 1754–1757
26. Mustafa III — 1757–1774
27. Abdülhamid I — 1774–1789
28. Selim III — 1789–1807
29. Mustafa IV — 1807–1808
30. Mahmud II — 1808–1839
31. Abdülmecid I — 1839–1861
32. Abdülaziz — 1861–1876
33. Murad V — 1876
34. Abdülhamid II — 1876–1909
35. Mehmed V — 1909–1918
36. Mehmed VI — 1918–1922

Reign dates follow Encyclopaedia Britannica; Osman I’s accession is traditionally dated c. 1299–1300. The gap between 1402 and 1413 is the Ottoman Interregnum, when the sons of Bayezid I fought for the throne.

Famous Ottoman Sultans

Three sultans come up more than any others when I guide guests through Istanbul. Mehmed II, the Conqueror, took Constantinople in 1453 at just 21 years old, ended the Byzantine Empire, and made the city his capital. Suleiman the Magnificent had the longest reign of all — 46 years, from 1520 to 1566 — and ruled the empire at its absolute peak, when Ottoman armies reached the gates of Vienna and the great architect Sinan filled Istanbul with masterpieces. And Abdulhamid II, who reigned from 1876 to 1909, was the last sultan to rule with absolute power; the sultans who came after him were constitutional figureheads while the empire moved toward its end. If you remember only three names from the list above, make it these three.

Life and Succession in Ottoman Dynasty

Ottoman princes were born in the Ottoman harem of their fathers. There could be only one Sultan at a time. Every male born into the Ottoman dynasty had the right to become Sultan. There was bloodshed and tragedy when a new Sultan had to be throned. The survival of the fittest was the main idea in Ottoman succession. Fratricide was common and mostly one prince executed all his brothers till he becomes the only one with the right to sit on the Ottoman throne.

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Ottoman Caliphate

The last Sunni Islamic caliphate was the Ottoman royal family. Ottoman sultans gained caliphal power in 1517, after Selim I united most of the Islamic world under Ottoman rule and took control of the most important Muslim cities. These cities included Mecca — the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage every able Muslim is expected to make — and Medina, the city of the Prophet. The caliphal position of the Ottoman sultans was revoked by the new Turkish Republic in 1924.

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Which countries were ruled by the Ottoman Dynasty?

Ottoman dynasty ruled many countries of the world for a long time. These countries were Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Egypt, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Arabia, parts of North Africa.

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What happened to Ottoman Dynasty?

The Ottoman Empire and the Ottoman dynasty officially ended in 1922, when the Turkish Grand National Assembly abolished the sultanate; the last sultan, Mehmed VI, went into exile aboard a British warship two weeks later. Turkey declared itself a republic in 1923, and the Ottoman dynasty passed from politics into history.

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Visiting Istanbul is the best way of learning more about the Ottoman Dynasty. Istanbul hosts royal palaces of Ottomans such as Topkapi Palace, Harem in Topkapi, Dolmabahce Palace, and many more. Contact me or hire a professional Turkish tour guide in Istanbul to learn more about Ottomans. See you soon, Hasan Gülday.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Ottoman sultans were there?

There were 36 Ottoman sultans between roughly 1299 and 1922. The line began with Osman I, who founded the dynasty near Bursa, and ended with Mehmed VI. Three sultans — Murad II, Mehmed II and Mustafa I — ruled twice, but the dynasty still counts 36 rulers.

Who was the last Ottoman sultan?

Mehmed VI was the last Ottoman sultan, reigning from 1918 to 1922. The Turkish Grand National Assembly abolished the sultanate in 1922, and he went into exile aboard a British warship; Turkey declared itself a republic in 1923, and the Ottoman caliphate was formally abolished in 1924.

Were the Ottoman sultans caliphs?

Yes — from 1517, after Selim I united most of the Islamic world and took control of Mecca and Medina, Ottoman sultans also held the title of caliph. They were the last Sunni caliphate; the new Turkish Republic revoked the title in 1924.